Satellite broadcasting in Australia

The operational features of the Australian domestic satellite system, AUSSAT, are discussed, particularly as they relate to broadcasting direct to communities and distribution to transmitters and studio centres of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC (Aus). Distribution of sound-only broadcasting programs is covered by the use of time-multiplexing using B-MAC. Comprehensive direct broadcasting from satellites is now available to many people living in remote areas of Australia who would otherwise receive minimal service. Initially, for each of the four major regions, ABC (Aus) has provided one television channel with stereophonic sound capability together with three different sound-only services, one of which is stereophonic. In addition to the `free´ services of ABC (Aus), commercial broadcasting satellite services are being progressively introduced to the four regions